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Forest Wardens #1
False Woods
Once upon a time, I got lost. Really lost. No longer in this realm kind of lost.
Goldilocks, better known as Gwendolyn Lache, is all grown up and working for the US Forest Service. The newest member of the agency, she spends her days patrolling The Divide, guarding the bridgepoints that separate our world from The Land and the descendants of the Native American tribesmen who reside there.
Her latest case has her investigating the murder of a young woman, a daughter of the Thunder Song Tribe, killed on our side of the forest. The chiefs want answers, not to mention her boss, and Gwendolyn means to find them, preferably before the tribesman declare the Cabot Accords void and cross The Divide themselves.
When the evidence names her oldest friend as the murderer, she finds herself in a race against time, searching to find the truth and catch a killer whose murderous actions could set the whole forest ablaze and see her burned along with it.
If you love Seanan Mcguire, Judith Berens, Martha Carr, Jim Butcher, BR Kingsolver, and Patricia Briggs then you will devour this series. Scroll up and one-click to start your wild wilderness adventure today!
False Woods is the 1st book of 9 in the Forest Wardens series, a kickass urban fantasy series containing intense action, fast-paced dialogue, snarky humor, wonderful mythical creatures, a unique and compelling setting, and a touch of soft romance.
Goldilocks, better known as Gwendolyn Lache, is all grown up and working for the US Forest Service. The newest member of the agency, she spends her days patrolling The Divide, guarding the bridgepoints that separate our world from The Land and the descendants of the Native American tribesmen who reside there.
Her latest case has her investigating the murder of a young woman, a daughter of the Thunder Song Tribe, killed on our side of the forest. The chiefs want answers, not to mention her boss, and Gwendolyn means to find them, preferably before the tribesman declare the Cabot Accords void and cross The Divide themselves.
When the evidence names her oldest friend as the murderer, she finds herself in a race against time, searching to find the truth and catch a killer whose murderous actions could set the whole forest ablaze and see her burned along with it.
If you love Seanan Mcguire, Judith Berens, Martha Carr, Jim Butcher, BR Kingsolver, and Patricia Briggs then you will devour this series. Scroll up and one-click to start your wild wilderness adventure today!
False Woods is the 1st book of 9 in the Forest Wardens series, a kickass urban fantasy series containing intense action, fast-paced dialogue, snarky humor, wonderful mythical creatures, a unique and compelling setting, and a touch of soft romance.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2021
188 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Justin Herzog
68 books34 followersA native Floridian whose resume includes everything from police officer to personal trainer, Justin Herzog fell in love with books from an early age and turned to writing as a career because anything else would have been unthinkable. He is married and currently lives with his wife in Orlando, Florida. They have one dog. He can reached at jherzogwriting@gmail.com or https://www.justinherzog.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 29, 2022
A fun, fast, and entertaining read. More please!
January 13, 2022
Enjoyable read
I enjoyed this story, interesting take on the "evolution" of native tribes, supernatural events, shifters and portals to other dimensions/planes. I liked the characters but am giving it 4 stars because I'm not quite clear on Gwen's history, why she was able to cross the Divide as a child, why she couldn't remember her life before that, and why she had to transfer after she was pretty much single handedly responsible for saving all the tribes.
I enjoyed this story, interesting take on the "evolution" of native tribes, supernatural events, shifters and portals to other dimensions/planes. I liked the characters but am giving it 4 stars because I'm not quite clear on Gwen's history, why she was able to cross the Divide as a child, why she couldn't remember her life before that, and why she had to transfer after she was pretty much single handedly responsible for saving all the tribes.
July 30, 2021
Very Interesting
Fun story to read , interesting characters. I love the Forest Ranger whose heart is as big as the forest she protests. Because of her big heart can get into trouble without even trying.I also found the Native American Indian folklore very interesting. Can't wait to read Book 2. Great job. Thank you.
Fun story to read , interesting characters. I love the Forest Ranger whose heart is as big as the forest she protests. Because of her big heart can get into trouble without even trying.I also found the Native American Indian folklore very interesting. Can't wait to read Book 2. Great job. Thank you.
October 31, 2021
Good story, lore that hasn't been completely overdone in the genre, and great characters (Francine for favorite supporting character!). I've read a lot of comments about books with a female lead written by men being poorly done, but this is not one of them. The main character made sense to me!
June 17, 2022
This book most definitely stretched the suspension of disbelief to its breaking point. It was okay, don't get me wrong, but I had a very tough time accepting that So Much Carnage could happen to the same person within a 36-hour period. More so that very few people truly seemed to ... care. The concept of the Divide, the Bridgepoints, and the backstory were very intriguing, and were what really kept me reading. I found the character's in-story parenthetical thoughts annoying and distracting, making this read more like fanfiction rather than a novel. There were a couple of points not addressed in this book that are likely addressed in future books--such as Gwen's parentage--but I caught myself loudly sighing in grumpiness at so many points that I just don't see myself reading further into this series.
July 5, 2022
First let me start by saying that I really enjoyed the interesting concept of the book. It was something I had yet to read, the characters are likeable enough to keep me reading more.
Where I have a problem is there are almost too many details in some areas to the point where you are almost bogged down and then not enough details in others, one of those being Gwendolyn mysterious background.
Also it's mildly annoying that she seems to lurch from one catastrophe to another with barely a break and the amount of carnage that seems to happen around her doesn't seem believable. It's like she is living in a separate world.
Over all, it's a decent read.
Where I have a problem is there are almost too many details in some areas to the point where you are almost bogged down and then not enough details in others, one of those being Gwendolyn mysterious background.
Also it's mildly annoying that she seems to lurch from one catastrophe to another with barely a break and the amount of carnage that seems to happen around her doesn't seem believable. It's like she is living in a separate world.
Over all, it's a decent read.
July 22, 2022
Easy Read
This was an easy read, nothing complex. I only finished really because I don't like leaving books unread. Nothing about it was complex or really exciting. I might read the second book down the road if I need a mind numbing book to fall into briefly, but I'm not putting it on my TBR list. I will say the main character did start to develop at the very end - I just wish it had been sooner and all characters had actual development.
This was an easy read, nothing complex. I only finished really because I don't like leaving books unread. Nothing about it was complex or really exciting. I might read the second book down the road if I need a mind numbing book to fall into briefly, but I'm not putting it on my TBR list. I will say the main character did start to develop at the very end - I just wish it had been sooner and all characters had actual development.
October 24, 2025
Really enjoyable series,
These caught my eye whilst I was reading the blue moon spin off from Justin Herzog. I finally came back to them after completing all the blue moon and was not disappointed.
Great characters. Really good storytelling. I am now completely up to date with this series and eagerly anticipating the next books release.
These caught my eye whilst I was reading the blue moon spin off from Justin Herzog. I finally came back to them after completing all the blue moon and was not disappointed.
Great characters. Really good storytelling. I am now completely up to date with this series and eagerly anticipating the next books release.
September 11, 2024
Good book
Really enjoyed this book, nice start to what could be an interesting series, well constructed characters with an interesting storyline, look forward to reading the rest of the series
Really enjoyed this book, nice start to what could be an interesting series, well constructed characters with an interesting storyline, look forward to reading the rest of the series
September 2, 2021
Wow!
I recommend this bittersweet, strategic masterpiece, and the imaginative series it begins, to readers who love reading fascinating history with an artistic flair. Enjoy!
I recommend this bittersweet, strategic masterpiece, and the imaginative series it begins, to readers who love reading fascinating history with an artistic flair. Enjoy!
March 3, 2022
Fun
It’s a fun story with a happy ending. Enjoyed it. A great read for those long easy days. Enjoy it.
It’s a fun story with a happy ending. Enjoyed it. A great read for those long easy days. Enjoy it.
June 1, 2022
Only reached 25% and gave up. Not my cup of tea. It's more of a murder/detective book with a touch of paranotmal based on native Americans. not what I'm looking for.
July 25, 2022
Good book
This story has allot of action and mystery. Gwendolyn Golden hair and her bear best friend have allot going on in this book.
This story has allot of action and mystery. Gwendolyn Golden hair and her bear best friend have allot going on in this book.
October 22, 2023
Great reaf
Not what I was expecting. Really engaging characters, bold and believable "heroine" with twist and turn all the way through.
A great read
Not what I was expecting. Really engaging characters, bold and believable "heroine" with twist and turn all the way through.
A great read
November 2, 2023
Really good urban fantasy. I didn’t like the non-stop action though. I prefer more character driven stories to action.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews